Defective government

"Hold on, my friends, to the Constitution and to the Republic for which it stands. Miracles do not cluster, and what has happened once in 6,000 years, may not happen again. Hold on to the Constitution, for if the American Constitution should fail, there will be anarchy throughout the world."

New superintendent

Graduates

County budget

The Newton County Board of Commissioners has a tough task in front of them as usual, deciding how to make expenses meet revenues, but we'll say what we've said for each of the past few years - this is still not the time to raise taxes.

Some thoughts

Last week, two young lives were snuffed out on Interstate 20. A 19-year-old and a 7-month-old baby will never know what it's like to grow old.

New superintendent

On Tuesday night, the Newton County Board of Education will choose Dr. Gary Mathews' successor as superintendent of the Newton County School System.

Mother’s Day

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."

Making the grade

In Wednesday's paper, we ran a story explaining what the new state school assessment model means to students and other citizens of Newton County.

Good moves

The Covington City Council has made two practical decisions that could contribute to economic growth in the future.

The morning-after pill

According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 1.3 million babies a year are aborted in the U.S. That is a staggering number.

Social Circle

If you were driving through the main street in Social Circle and blinked twice, you might miss the physical heart of the city.

Rotary

A sure sign of spring here in Covington and Newton County is the sweet smell of Vidalia onions.

Development

There's no question we've had a successful run of economic development deals in Newton County over the past couple of years.

Special Olympics

"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

Hometown Hero 2012

"I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."

Our Thoughts... Where have all the math teachers gone?

In Friday's paper we ran a story on how the Newton County School System was recruiting math and science teachers in India. At first blush this seems, well, not right.

Our Thoughts... Run, George, run

We would like to congratulate the faculty and student body of Newton High School for raising nearly $9,000 for Newton County's annual Relay for Life. We would also like to applaud Newton English teacher George Miles for running to inspire students and teachers to give.

The right to speak, to know

We believe, with every breath we take, in the sanctity of the First Amendment of our country's Constitution. That amendment guarantees every citizen of this country the right to free speech; we feel that same right applies to teachers and students as well. The Newton County School System's administration has instituted a policy that absolutely denies the right of its teachers, administrators and students to talk to the press unless it is cleared by one public relations official.

Senior pranks not what they used to be

There was a time in the good old days when at this time of the year if you were a senior in high school, then it was your turn to be part of a traditional prank. You did this knowing full well there would be penalties and that you would have to deal face-to-face with your parents and your principal, which in itself was usually punishment enough. The pranks that were performed in those good ...

Our Thoughts... President or tourist?

Monday some numbskull in the defense department authorized the president of the United States' plane, accompanied by a fighter jet, to fly low over the site of the 9/11 tragedy in New York.

Our Thoughts... Buying the rails

The city and county governments recently held a joint session to discuss, among other things, the purchase of railroad right away and lines from Norfolk Southern.

Our Thoughts... The better choice

The Newton County Recreation Commission and the Covington Rotary Club have taken on a massive project - the building of a new sports complex in the county. The complex will contain the "Miracle Field," which is a baseball diamond built specifically to handle the needs of our handicapped children who live in the county.

Our thoughts...

That's what we thought Two months ago we broke a story about an education study group put in place by the Gov. Sonny Perdue. The group was going to make a recommendation that the state's technical schools and junior colleges be merged. There was denial and outcry from state officials that this was not true. In Wednesday's paper the study was released and what we reported was true, although other options for Georgia's colleges were ...

Our Thoughts... Dangerous beauty

We always extol the natural beauty of our communities; we encourage our readers to get out and enjoy that beauty.

Our Thoughts... A great conductor

T.K. Adams is a special man. For the past 50 years he has spent his life making other people, both young and old, better because they have had the opportunity to be touched by his kindness and dedication.

Chicken dance is not animal cruelty

 I love animals and hate to see them mistreated.

Orders are orders, American style

 I don't often hope that any wish of former Vice-President Cheney is granted. But I do hope that his wish for the release of more memos on the results of Bush-Cheney-authorized torture is granted.

Our Thoughts... Thankful for the rain

We were relieved to find out that Newton County was no longer under the severe drought conditions it has been under for months now.

Our Thoughts... Keeping the county sparkling

If you haven't had a chance to step outside and observe the beautiful green carpet and bright flowers that nature has provided us here in Newton County, you need to do so.

Our Thoughts... Trails for county families

In last Wednesday's paper there was an excellent column by local bike enthusiast Maurice Carter on the value of bike trails. If you missed it, we recommend you go to covnews.com to read it.